Press Releases, 6/11/2014 | Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland

Development Minister Haavisto attends the Global Summit to End Sexual Violence in Conflict in London

Pressr release 139/2014
11 June 2014

The UK is organizing the largest gathering ever brought together with the aim of ending sexual violence in conflict. The Summit takes place in London from 10 to 13 June. Finland is represented at the Global Summit to End Sexual Violence in Conflict by Development Minister Pekka Haavisto. The Summit is convened by UK Foreign Secretary William Hague and UN Special Envoy for Refugees Angelina Jolie.

The Summit’s objective is to obtain practical commitments from States concerning the elimination of sexual violence in conflicts. Underpinning the Summit is the Declaration given during the UN General Assembly Ministerial week in autumn 2013, which sought strong political support for ending rape and sexual violence as means of war. Finland joined the supporters of the Declaration, the preparation of which was led by Britain, together with about 140 other countries.

Minister Haavisto, in his talks on Somalia and the role of religious leaders, raises issues such as women’s empowerment, the elimination of impunity associated with international crimes involving sexual violence and support for victims as well as mediation. Aside from the Summit, Minister Haavisto has bilateral meetings with ministers from other countries participating in the Summit and with representative of UN organizations.

Finland also supports the implementation of the objective in practice. Finland is granting a total of 800,000 euros in support for the Trust Fund for Victims of the International Criminal Court in the years 2012–2015 and a total of 190,000 euros for the activities of the Justice Rapid Response mechanism in the years 2011–2014. In addition, Finland is preparing to support the “Stop Rape Now” project led by Zainab Bangura, UN Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict. The Special Representative is supported by a network of 12 different UN actors aiming to prevent and reduce sexual violence in conflict. The project has previously received support in the years 2009–2011.